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On December 20, 2016, EPA announced the start of a pilot program to evaluate the usefulness and acceptability of a mathematical tool (the GHS Mixtures Equation), which is used in the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). EPA states that the goal of the pilot program is to “evaluate the utility and acceptability of the GHS Mixtures Equation as an alternative to animal oral and inhalation toxicity studies for pesticide formulations.” For this pilot...
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is scheduled to publish in the December 21, 2016, Federal Register a final rule regarding procedures for rulemaking under Section 6 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Under TSCA Section 6, EPA has the authority to address risks from chemical substances, and Section 6 includes procedures that EPA must follow. As amended by the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, TSCA no longer mandates...
December 15, 2016
EPA Proposes To Add Nonylphenol Ethoxylates To Section 313 And Other Recent EPCRA Developments
EPA Proposes To Add Nonylphenol Ethoxylates To Section 313: On November 16, 2016, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed to add nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPE) as a category for which reporting is needed under Section 313 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA). 81 Fed. Reg. 80624. EPA is proposing to add this chemical category to the EPCRA Section 313 list because EPA believes NPEs meet the EPCRA Section 313(d)(2)(C)...
On November 28, 2016, the Hazardous Waste Export-Import Revisions rule was published in the Federal Register and is effective as of December 31, 2016. This rule impacts thousands of entities that export and/or import shipments of hazardous wastes. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is strengthening its standards to comport with requirements in place for Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries, to respond to...
The Acta Group (Acta®) President Lynn L. Bergeson contributed a chapter to the recently published book Nanotechnology: Delivering on the Promise, a two-volume American Chemical Society (ACS) symposium report that discusses advances in nanotechnology and the value of precautionary risk management. These volumes cover advances nanotechnology has made with materials, energy, electronic devices, agriculture, and biomedicine, as well as the regulatory response to these new technologies. Ms....
On December 8, 2016, President-Elect Donald Trump confirmed his intention to nominate Oklahoma Attorney General (AG) E. Scott Pruitt to head the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Rumors about Mr. Pruitt’s nomination have been circulating for some time, but his nomination was confirmed via a Facebook post. Mr. Pruitt has been the Oklahoma AG since November 2010. Mr. Pruitt received a B.A. from Georgetown College in Georgetown, Kentucky, in Political Science and...
December 7, 2016
Oscar Hernandez and Jim Aidala Quoted in “Risk Limits Under New Toxics Law May Continue Past Practice”
On December 7, 2016, the Bloomberg BNA Daily Environment Report quoted Oscar Hernandez, Ph.D., Senior Regulatory Chemist with The Acta Group (Acta®), and Jim Aidala, Vice President, Policy and Government Affairs with Acta, regarding how the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will handle the new toxics law. Typically, the agency takes action on chemicals whose risks range between 1 in 10,000 excess cancer cases to 1 in 1 million excess cases. “They'd have...
December 2, 2016
Bloomberg BNA Daily Environmental Report Quotes Lynn L. Bergeson in “EPA Proposal Threatens Confidentiality, Chemical Makers Say”
On December 2, 2016, Lynn L. Bergeson, President of The Acta Group (Acta®), was quoted in the Bloomberg BNA Daily Environmental Report on how proposed changes to significant new use regulations would change the way confidential business information is handled by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Bergeson & Campbell P.C. law firm summarized a position voiced throughout the trade association comments. “As currently drafted, the proposed...
December 1, 2016
Brexit — An Overview of Transformative Developments and Their Potential Impact on European Chemical Laws
On June 23, 2016, more than 30 million people voted in a referendum to decide whether the United Kingdom (UK) should “Leave” or “Remain” in the European Union (EU). The referendum turnout was 71.8 percent and the Leave Campaign won by 52 percent to 48 percent, making “Brexit” an important and imminent probability with potentially significant implications for a range of stakeholders, including the chemicals industry. The following statement from current UK Prime Minister...
The Acta Group extends its best wishes to our clients and many friends and we wish you and your family a happy, healthy, and peaceful New Year. As we have for many years, the firm has made a contribution to the House of Ruth, a shelter for battered women and their children, in lieu of gifts to our clients, and on our clients’ behalf. ARGENTINA Argentina Establishes “Take Back” Regulation For Pesticide Containers: On...